Table of Contents
Introduction
In this blog post series, we will discuss the promising employment prospects for young people ages 16–24 as they graduate from high school and college this spring. We will explore the current labor market conditions for young workers, comparing them to the pre-pandemic recession in 2019. We will also examine the industries in which young people are employed and the changes in their working hours.
The Job Market Recovery for Young Workers
On key measures of job quality, young people face a better labor market today than in 2019. This represents an extraordinarily strong job market recovery for young workers—especially compared with previous recessions. The unemployment rate for young people is the lowest in 70 years.
Working Hours and Employment by Industry
Young workers are more likely to have predictable work hours and work full time than in 2019. Nearly half (47.5%) of young workers are working full time in 2023, an increase of 1.2 percentage points from 2019. A smaller percentage of young workers have hours that vary in their main job in 2023, decreasing from 7.5% in 2019 to 6.8%.
All workers, but particularly young workers, are more likely to work only one job in 2023 than in 2019. The share of young workers who have more than one job has fallen from 5.1% to 4.2% over the past four years, while the share of workers ages 25 and older with more than one job has fallen just 0.2 percentage points over the same period.
Employment by Industry
Young people are most likely to work in leisure and hospitality, retail trade, and education and health services, both now and pre-pandemic. These industries suffered the greatest job losses during the pandemic recession in food services and drinking places and educational services.
Young people gained the most employment in construction and transportation, particularly in jobs as couriers and messengers as well as warehousing and storage. Transportation and warehousing is the largest detailed industry within the major transportation and utilities industry, and grew significantly between 2019 and 2023.
Shift to More Predictable and Full-Time Work Hours
Young workers, in particular, have experienced a shift to more predictable and full-time work hours. This can be attributed to the industries in which they work, such as transportation and utilities and construction, where workers are more likely to be full time. Young workers in these industries that gained jobs are also less likely to have another job than workers in industries that lost jobs.
Employment Resources for Young People in 2023
In addition to exploring the current labor market conditions for young workers, it is important to provide resources to help them navigate their careers and find employment opportunities. Here are 53 resources for young people in 2023:
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CareerOneStop: This website offers career exploration tools, job search resources, and information on training and education programs.
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USAJOBS: The official job site of the United States government, where young people can search and apply for federal jobs.
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LinkedIn: A professional networking platform that allows young people to connect with industry professionals and search for job opportunities.
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Indeed: One of the largest job search engines, where young people can find job listings from various sources.
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Glassdoor: A website that provides company reviews, salary information, and job listings.
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Monster: A job search website that offers career advice, resume tips, and interview preparation resources.
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CareerBuilder: A job board with millions of job listings and resources for job seekers.
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ZipRecruiter: A platform that connects job seekers with employers and provides personalized job recommendations.
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Snagajob: A job board focused on part-time and hourly positions, ideal for young workers seeking flexible employment.
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CollegeGrad: A website that provides job search resources for recent college graduates.
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Idealist: A platform that connects young people with nonprofit organizations and social impact opportunities.
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InternMatch: A website that helps young people find internships and entry-level positions.
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Internships.com: A database of internship opportunities across various industries.
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Chegg Internships: A platform that connects students with internships and entry-level jobs.
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Youth Employment Services: A nonprofit organization that provides job placement and career development services for young people.
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YouthBuild: A program that offers education, job training, and leadership development for young people ages 16-24.
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Job Corps: A free education and training program that helps young people learn a trade and find employment.
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Americorps: A national service program that offers young people the opportunity to serve their communities and gain valuable skills.
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Teach For America: A program that recruits recent college graduates to teach in low-income communities.
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Peace Corps: A volunteer program that sends young people abroad to work on projects that promote peace and development.
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VolunteerMatch: A platform that connects volunteers with nonprofit organizations in need of assistance.
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Idealist: A website that lists volunteer opportunities and nonprofit jobs.
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AmeriCorps VISTA: A program that fights poverty by placing young people in full-time, year-long service positions.
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Job Shadow: A website that connects young people with professionals in their desired career fields for job shadowing opportunities.
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Career Girls: A website that provides career advice and resources for young women.
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National Career Development Association: A professional association that offers resources and support for career development professionals.
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National Association of Colleges and Employers: An organization that provides resources and research on career development and employment trends.
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Youth Employment Success: A program that offers job readiness training and support for young people.
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YouthWorks: A program that provides job training and employment opportunities for young people.
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MyNextMove: An interactive tool that helps young people explore different career options based on their interests.
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O*NET OnLine: A website that provides detailed information on various occupations, including job duties, skills required, and salary data.
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CareerOneStop: A comprehensive career exploration website that offers assessments, job search tips, and information on training programs.
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JobHero: A website that provides resume samples, cover letter templates, and career advice.
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Resume Genius: A platform that offers resume building tools and resources.
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MyPerfectResume: A website that provides resume templates and tips for writing effective resumes.
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LiveCareer: A platform that offers resume and cover letter building tools, interview preparation resources, and career advice.
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Careeronestop: A website that provides career exploration tools, including a skills assessment and interest profiler.
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SkillsUSA: A national organization that promotes career and technical education and offers competitions and leadership development opportunities for young people.
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National Association of State Workforce Agencies: An organization that provides resources and support for state workforce agencies and their programs for young workers.
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National Fund for Workforce Solutions: A nonprofit organization that works to improve the quality of jobs and economic opportunities for workers.
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National Skills Coalition: An organization that advocates for policies and investments that support skills training and career pathways for workers.
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United Way: A nonprofit organization that offers various programs and resources to support education and employment.
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CareerOneStop: A website that provides information on apprenticeships and other work-based learning opportunities.
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Registered Apprenticeship: A program that combines on-the-job training with classroom instruction, leading to a recognized credential.
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America’s Promise Alliance: A nonprofit organization that works to support young people and help them succeed in education and employment.
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Year Up: A program that provides young adults with skills training, internships, and job placement assistance.
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Youth CareerConnect: A federal grant program that supports innovative career and technical education programs for high school students.
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National Youth Employment Coalition: An organization that advocates for policies and programs that support youth employment and economic opportunity.
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Youth.gov: A website that provides resources and information on various programs and services for young people.
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National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability: An organization that provides resources and support for young people with disabilities in their transition to employment.
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National Youth Employment Policy Framework: A framework that outlines principles and strategies for promoting youth employment.
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Job Corps: A program that offers education and job training for young people ages 16-24.
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YouthBuild: A program that provides education, job training, and leadership development for young people ages 16-24.
These resources can help young people navigate their career paths, explore job opportunities, and gain the skills and knowledge needed for success in the labor market. Whether they are looking for full-time employment, internships, volunteer opportunities, or career guidance, these resources can provide valuable support and guidance.
In conclusion, the labor market conditions for young workers in 2023 are promising, with low unemployment rates and improvements in job quality compared to pre-pandemic levels. By utilizing the resources available to them, young people can take advantage of the opportunities that are available and build successful careers in their chosen fields.